Computer with a personal digital assistant

• US 20050198152A1
• Filed: 02/12/2004
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Garbow, Zachary Adam
• Application Number:
  US10/777,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20050198152A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/165 the additional display being small, e.g. for presenting status information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1454 involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5044 considering hardware capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports

Abstract

A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment determine whether a window meets a criteria. If the window meets the criteria, the window is sent to a personal digital assistant. If the window does meet the criteria, then the window is sent to a computer display. In an embodiment, the personal digital assistant is attached via a hinge to the computer and is capable of rotating via the hinge between a closed position atop a lid portion of the computer to an open position side-by-side with the lid portion. In this way, the display of the computer is viewable simultaneously with the personal digital assistant.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining whether data meets a criteria;

if the determining is true, sending the data to a personal digital assistant; and

if the determining is false, sending the data to a computer display.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining further comprises:

determining whether the data comprises an instant messaging application window.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining further comprises:

determining whether the data comprises a calculator application window.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining further comprises:

determining whether the data comprises a calendar application window.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining further comprises:

determining whether the data comprises a media player application window.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining further comprises:

determining whether the data comprises an e-mail application window.

7. An apparatus comprising:

means for determining whether a window meets a criteria;

means for sending the window to a personal digital assistant if the determining is true, wherein the personal digital assistant is detachably connected via a hinge to a computer; and

means for sending the window to a computer display if the determining is false, wherein the computer comprises the computer display.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for determining further comprises:

means for determining whether the window comprises an instant messaging application window.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for determining further comprises:

means for determining whether the window comprises a calculator application window.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for determining further comprises:

means for determining whether the window comprises a calendar application window.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for determining further comprises:

means for determining whether the window comprises a media player application window.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for determining further comprises:

means for determining whether the window comprises an e-mail application window.

13. A signal-bearing medium encoded with instructions, wherein the instructions when executed comprise:

instructing a power supply of a computer to supply power to an input device of the computer; and

receiving input at a personal digital assistant from the input device of the computer.

14. The signal-bearing medium of claim 13, further comprising:

determining that data has been changed at the personal digital assistant;

determining whether the computer is powered on; and

if the data has been changed at the personal digital assistant and the computer is powered on, synchronizing the data with the computer.

15. The signal-bearing medium of claim 13, wherein the personal digital assistant is rotatably and detachably connected to the computer.

16. A system comprising:

a computer comprising a base portion and a lid portion; and

a personal digital assistant detachably connected to the lid portion via a hinge, wherein the personal digital assistant is capable of rotating via the hinge.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the personal digital assistant is capable of rotating via the hinge between a closed position atop the lid portion and an open position side-by-side with the lid portion.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the lid portion comprises a display, and wherein in the open position the personal digital assistant is viewable simultaneously with the display.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the computer further comprises:

a processor; and

a main memory encoded with instructions, wherein the instructions when executed on the processor comprise;

determining whether a window meets a criteria,

if the determining is true, sending the window to the personal digital assistant, and

if the determining is false, sending the window to the display.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the instructions further comprise:

sending input from an input device in the base portion to the personal digital assistant.